Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
After 34 years at 86 E. Fourth St. near Second Avenue, the Boiler Room will likely be closing by the end of the year, management confirmed to EVG.
(H/T Queer Happened Here.)
However, there are plans to relocate the popular gay dive bar a short distance away to 45 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street. More on that later in the post.
According to management, the building's landlord had them in a two-plus-year court battle over pandemic-related back rent payments. A judge ruled in favor of the landlord, who is requiring a lump-sum payment — without any negotiations for current and future rent.
Bar manager Randy Weinberg, whose brother Neil is the Boiler Room's owner, said they have a lease until September, with a month-to-month arrangement through the fall and, perhaps January, until the new space is ready.
Here's a look inside the space, which New York magazine described as a "friendly, unobtrusive, post-gay gay bar that helped put the queer East Village bar scene on the map."
11 comments:
This is sad, but glad they are moving to a new location. One of the best bars around. Open to everyone who has a heart. Fantastic jukebox, pool, and just nice people who work there. You always feel welcome.
Glad they are going to stay in the neighborhood. However I am very sad they are looking to get a liquor license a block and half away on Second Avenue. The neighborhood quality of life has drastically dropped with so many bars and restaurants in a neighborhood that was seen as "over-saturated" by the state liqour commission 20 years ago, much less now when there are so many more bars.
Glad they're staying but sad they still want to be a bar. Yup, no contradictions there.
I will def sign the petition of support. I live a few blocks away from the new spot . I’ve popped in the boiler room since college.
I hope the new location works out! I've had more than one cocktail there since they opened....But still I miss The Last Resort, Dick's Bar, The Bar, and a couple of other nameless wonderful little gay dives that made this neighborhood so special.
@Older Historian: Wasnt this location actually called 'The Bar' in the 80s? I had alot of good times in what I seem to remember was 'The Bar' back then, but good times usually means the inability to recall them!
The Bar was around the corner on 2nd & 4th. And yes, many good times there as well as the Boiler Room.
Kevin G - The Bar was at the corner, then it had a big fire around 1998 or so. The Bar used to have at one point incredible tapes & jazz videos. I think possibly The Bar & The Boiler Room had the same owners at some point.
And I agree! The good times does make recollection fuzzy!!!!!
As a forty something gay man and bear, I dig this place. It's doesn't have a superficial, dismissive vibe as many gay bars in the city have. It caters to all types of us in the community, especially over 40 and who aren't gym gods. Very inclusive and low key. I actually met my ex bf here who I was with for five years, thanks to the boiler room. I have really good memories of this bar and wish them luck in their new location.
Yup it was the bar!
I think it's been there 30 years, not 34 years. Doesn't sound like a huge difference, but in business/retail years, it's a lot.
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